The Code L is a high performance carving ski that’s part of Volkl’s Code collection. Where do these skis sit in the Volkl line, you might be wondering? Essentially the Code series is kind of in between Volkl’s Ride the Mountain “RTM” collection and their dedicated race skis. They use a more traditional construction than the RTM series (although the Code V.Werks is an exception) with wood cores, metal laminates, vertical sidewalls, and UVO vibration dampening. This construction is much more aligned with their race skis than anything else within the Volkl line and the resulting performance is similar. The Code L, however, uses a 18.2 m turn radius at the 178 cm length (the length that all our testers skied), which is significantly shorter than most GS race skis, especially FIS certified, World Cup skis. If you want that level of performance in a more approachable ski, however, the Code L could be for you.
Steve Brown scored the Code L 5 out of 5 for stability, quickness, and torsional stiffness, which really is a succinct way of describing the ski. The two sheets of metal in its construction provide both excellent stability and torsional stiffness, while the narrow waist width of 76 mm means they are super quick edge to edge. Steve described the Code L as a “great on-trail carver.” That’s a relatively vague description, but that’s the intended use of the Code L so it doesn’t come as a surprise by any means. What does, however, is that Steve also described them as “surprisingly fun busting through crud.” Steve is a big guy and the fact that the Code L was stable enough for him to charge through crud snow really says a lot about its stability.
According to David Wolfgang, “this ski wants to cruise.” While the word “cruise” might not do the Code L complete justice, it does make sense that David had that reaction. The “L” in the title of the ski refers to “long radius”. While there are plenty of skis within the Volkl line with longer turn radii, the Code L has a longer radius than its brother the aptly named Code S (you guessed it, S stands for short). The slightly longer radius of the Code L is definitely more appropriate for “cruising” than the Code S, which prefers making shorter, snappier turns, almost like a slalom ski. This seems to be exactly what David was feeling as he continued his comments with, “it thrives on wide turns and with Volkl’s UVO technology it does it with total dampness. The UVO really works.”
Marcus Shakun has quite a bit of experience on the Code L, but we made sure to get him out on the ski to get his feedback, which proved to be very valuable. Marcus referred to the Code L as being a “frontside speed machine.” He went on to describe his experiences on the Code L. It “has incredible edge hold and is beyond stable at high speeds with a super stiff shovel and tail. It loves to go fast and prefers medium to long radius turns. It locks right into a turn and holds all the way through.” While skis in Volkl’s RTM series deliver a range of performance characteristics, the Code L really focuses on carving performance. Bringing in some technology from its race skis the Code L is a pretty serious, hard-charging ski.
Perhaps Marcus puts it best when he said the Code L is a good choice for “advanced and expert skiers who love long, high speed turns and want to be totally locked in to a turn.” If advanced or expert aren’t words that you would use to describe your skiing chances are the Code L isn’t the best choice for you, but luckily Volkl makes less aggressive carving skis as well (RTM 78, 81, etc.)
